The brazier in the center was lit, the orange-red flames illuminating the entire space, the flickering light and shadows dancing on the stone walls.
Yashiro stood by the door. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he slowly walked to the stone door and forcefully closed the heavy door.
With a muffled boom, the secret room was immediately isolated from the outside world, the firelight becoming the only source of light, casting shadows on everyone's faces.
Having just become a Genin, Kiyoshi sat at the back, able to feel pairs of eyes constantly turning towards him.
These gazes varied, some with curiosity, some with disdain, and some mixed with faint appreciation and expectation.
Among them, a scarlet Sharingan was particularly striking in the dim light, emitting a cold luster.
Of course, there was also no shortage of surprise.
Hazuki, who was a Chunin, was positioned in the middle towards the back.
Her eyes widened, clearly not expecting the fact that Kiyoshi, who had gone to collect a ninjutsu scroll not long ago, had already graduated.
Hazuki was wondering whether to strike up a conversation with Kiyoshi to ease the relationship.
After all, her attitude towards Kiyoshi last time wasn't exactly good.
It would be troublesome if Kiyoshi outwardly acted like it was nothing, but secretly held a grudge.
Hazuki didn't think that a genius like Kiyoshi would be limited to being just a Genin.
"Congratulations, Kiyoshi, on becoming a ninja."
After thinking for a long time, Hazuki stood up, wanting to walk towards Kiyoshi.
But Kiyoshi just nodded lightly, completely different from the simple and honest smile he had shown that day.
Kiyoshi's attitude was beyond Hazuki's expectations.
"Kiyoshi, you..."
She was just about to ask Kiyoshi if he still cared about what had happened last time when...
"Hazuki, Fugaku is going to speak."
As a Jonin, Mikoto, who was at the front, turned back to Hazuki, who had stood up and said.
"Okay."
Hazuki had no choice but to sit down first.
She wondered if Kiyoshi's previous behavior was just an act to deceive her.
The clansmen's reactions varied.
Sitting opposite all the clansmen, Fugaku crossed his arms, the Uchiha crest on his shoulders shining brightly in the firelight.
He coughed lightly, breaking the whispers and discussions in the secret room.
"Today, we Uchiha welcome a new ninja, Kiyoshi."
As soon as he finished speaking, some clansmen who had not yet activated their Sharingan activated them one after another, scarlet dots of light lighting up the secret room like sparks.
This is a unique ritual of the Uchiha clan, both a congratulation and a silent examination to the newcomer.
Kiyoshi stood up.
The firelight flickered in the secret room, making Kiyoshi's straight figure particularly clear.
His gaze swept around, not revealing the slightest timidity.
Seeing this, Fugaku couldn't help but nod secretly.
He remembered that on the first day he had met him, Kiyoshi was able to perform quite well under his Sharingan.
"We Uchiha are not a clan that minds foreign bloodlines. As long as you come to the Uchiha, we are all united clansmen." Fugaku said.
Regardless of whose blood Kiyoshi had half of, as long as he was loyal to the Uchiha clan, that was enough.
"Yes, Fugaku-sama." Kiyoshi nodded.
Who wouldn't say nice things about mutual unity?
As for whether Fugaku himself would do it?
The original story had already given a conclusion.
"What are your plans next?" Fugaku looked at Kiyoshi and asked.
He had received a hint from Hiruzen, saying that Kiyoshi carried the Will of Fire.
This sentence clearly showed that he was optimistic about Kiyoshi.
So Fugaku, who had originally planned to directly stuff Kiyoshi into the Konoha Military Police Force, changed his mind.
"I... want to perform ordinary missions like other ninjas, and when I have enough qualifications, I will join the Konoha Military Police Force and work with everyone."
Kiyoshi's expression was filled with longing, and he paused before saying.
"Moreover, Nono-sensei is willing to teach me some medical ninjutsu, and I want to train myself more in this area so that I can better help the clansmen when I have the ability."
"Yakushi Nono?" Fugaku asked in confusion.
The other clansmen were also equally puzzled.
"Isn't she a ninja with exceptional medical abilities?"
"It is said that besides Tsunade, she is the best medical ninja in Konoha."
"Ah, I remember, she once treated me, her medical ninjutsu was really good."
"Kiyoshi actually has Yang chakra nature?"
The clansmen whispered.
They were not only shocked that Nono had taken a liking to Kiyoshi but also surprised that Kiyoshi possessed Yang chakra nature.
Most Uchihas have Yin chakra nature, and only a small number of clansmen also have Yang chakra nature.
Hazuki became increasingly restless upon hearing this.
She... could she have really offended Kiyoshi?
And Kiyoshi knew his talent, so he acted fearlessly and came to settle accounts after the fact?
At this moment, Hazuki felt chilled by Kiyoshi's acting skills that day.
"It's Kiyoshi's agreement with Nono."
Seeing that the other clansmen were puzzled, Mikoto stood up and explained the ins and outs of the matter.
As long as Kiyoshi graduated from Ninja school and had the qualifications to be a medical ninja, Nono would be willing to teach Kiyoshi.
She was present when Nono had said this.
"I didn't expect you to have such talent." Fugaku nodded.
Being favored by the captain of the medic corps indicated that Kiyoshi had a good talent for medical ninjutsu.
The only pity was that Kiyoshi only had one Sharingan, and it was questionable whether it could evolve later.
There had been mixed-blood Uchiha before, but Uchihas with only one eye were quite rare, with only a few records from the Sengoku era.
"Then, you will first listen to the village's subsequent arrangements."
Fugaku made plans for Kiyoshi's whereabouts.
Since Hiruzen was optimistic about Kiyoshi, he might as well use Kiyoshi to ease the relationship between the village and the Uchiha.
Since the Uchiha were in charge of managing the Konoha Military Police Force, they had offended many people.
Many ninja clans had a lukewarm attitude towards the Uchiha, causing the Uchiha clan to be somewhat isolated and helpless in the vast Konoha.
"Is there anything you want?"
Since Kiyoshi was such a genius, Fugaku decided to increase the investment to strengthen the bond between Kiyoshi and the Uchiha.
"I need a sword." Kiyoshi told the truth.
He was still worried about how he would earn money to buy a sword.
It would be great if the Uchiha clan could allocate one to him.
"No problem, Mikoto, take Kiyoshi to collect the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique later, and then take him out of the village to Nekobaa to buy a suitable sword." Fugaku said to Mikoto.
"Okay." Mikoto nodded.
With this matter settled, Fugaku asked Kiyoshi to sit down and began to talk about other matters.
Hazuki felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, looking towards Kiyoshi from time to time.
Kiyoshi noticed Hazuki's abnormality, and a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Isn't this the best candidate to improve his pupil power right now?
***
55 Advanced Chapters on
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